The 90s were were defined by entertainment that was ironic and cynical. After the hollow optimism of the 80s, it's only logical that things would take a dramatic turn in the opposite direction. Goodbye Family Ties and Bananarama, hello Seinfeld and Nirvana. In a lot of ways, children's television programming reflects that change in mood. If you grew up in the 90s, it's pretty nailed on that you watched some weird shows for kids. Luckily for you, Nickelodeon have unveiled plans to have Jared Hess put together a cross-over movie event bringing the likes of Doug, Rugrats and Ahh! Real Monsters back to life. It was those shows that inspired the offbeat, eccentric sense of humor that has defined our generation. If you were exposed to Ren & Stimpy as a child, that's going to affect how you see the world. Maybe it's even why we have so many "hipster" type people in our generation. We used to watch a popsicle stick named Stick Stickley - if that's not hipster entertainment, I don't know what is. In anticipation of the forthcoming movie, let's relive the finest shows ever to appear on Nickelodeon...
10. Clarissa Explains It All
Hundreds of years from now, when our tyrannical robot overlords are curious to see what kids from the early 90s were like, they will watch this show. Clarissa is the quintessential 90s girl, and influenced the fashion choices of preteens everywhere. She was a creative girl, with cool video game graphics, a pet caiman named Elvis, and a best friend who just climbed into her room with a ladder whenever he felt like it (apparently no one else thought this was weird). Her direct address to camera connected her with the audience, creating a likable, believable character. Along with her friend Sam (God, who didn't have a crush on that kid?) and her brother Ferguson, aka Fergwad, Fergbreath, Ferganerd, and Fergface, she navigated her way through typical adolescent problems. Light-hearted and bubbly, it nonetheless addressed real teen issues in a way that few kids shows had done up to that point.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
